Valentines ideas that won’t break the bank and the kids can help with!

Updated on 8th Feb 2016
by .

If Valentines Day has become something akin to a nightmare because you cant really afford a babysitter, you no longer have any use for expensive perfume and prefer the cheaper and more readily available L’eau du Sudocrem and staying awake beyond 9.30pm is a real achievement, then you are not alone! Valentines Day need not be all about expensive gifts, surprise trips or lavish meals, you can achieve a really fun night without breaking the bank, here are some ideas on how!

Gift ideas:

Deck of treats:

Buy yourself a pack of cards – or dig one out from the pile of children’s games and write a special gift idea on each card – it can be anything, a foot massage, a bath with candles, a trip to the cinema – anything! Wrap the cards up in a beautiful box and give it to your partner, then once a week for the whole year they can pull a card and one night that week you will give your gift of a foot massage, or a bubbly hot bath! You can do it every day for 52 days if you would rather, or give your gift every day for a week, whatever you fancy, but it is a great way of letting them know you love them all the time not just on Valentines Day!

Buy a few packs of these simple hearts and get the kids (and you) to write on them – then hang them in the places that are not usually places where you get love – by the washing machine, in the fridge, in the cleaning cupboard, by a tool kit! Simple but effective:

This might take a bit more time to do so get thinking! With the children think of some really lovely places that you have been to and some happy memories that you have made and then decorate the front of this book and stick pictures of all the places that you have been to in and write all the fun things that you did. If you have got old tickets or even get the children to draw some lovely things in there – things that make them smile.

Other gift ideas for her

Make a pom pom button heart for the love of your child’s life. You can get a great Valentines Pom Pom Heart Wreath Kit from Hobby Craft to do this.

I know this might sound obvious and something that we all do, but this time light some candles, get dressed up, get dressed down! Take some time to find a film that you both love and make the space that you watch it in just a little bit more cosy!! Make popcorn!

Play games:

In this busy world in which we live it is rare that we actually find time to sit down and play games. It could be just the 2 of you, it could be the whole family, but it is always a lovely way to spend an evening. I am not talking computer games here, so put the Xbox and the Wii away, I mean dominoes, backgammon, cluedo or hide and seek – that could end up being romantic!

What to eat:

Something healthy:

It may be Valentines Day, which is traditionally meant to be chocolates but it doesn’t have to be bad for you! You can be creative with healthy food too. The below recipe comes courtesy of Jo at Joy food rEVOLution, more recipes can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/joyfoodrevolution

PICK YOUR OWN HALLOUMI STIR FRY

This recipe is kept deliberately loose to give you the chance to use up what you have in the fridge, and adapt it to what you like:

PREPARATION: 10 minutes (plus time to cook the grains of your choice)

COOKING TIME: 10 minutes SERVES: 2

INGREDIENTS

1 packet of halloumi cheese (organic if you can stretch to it)

Vegetables – enough for the both of you. Choose as many as you fancy from:

Fresh herbs (I opted for chives but coriander, parsley or mint would do nicely)

Lightly toasted nuts or seeds

METHOD

Prepare your chosen vegetables by cutting them into small thin slices and any broccoli or cauliflower into small florets

Peel the garlic and chop up finely. Do the same for the ginger if using

Gently slice the halloumi, if you have any heart shaped cutters you can make some cheesy heart shapes

In a lightly greased medium or large frying pan, fry the halloumi on both sides until nice and golden (about 2-3 minutes per side, often less the after turning)

Transfer onto a plate or bowl and cover to retain the heat

In the same pan, add in some more oil and fry ‘the hard nuts’ first on a medium heat for about 3-4 minutes

Add in ‘the softies’, garlic and ginger if using and stir regularly until the vegetables are tender but still have a little crunch (another 3-4 minutes or so)

Add in a saucy sauce of your choice making sure it’s evenly distributed

Add seasoning and give it a final stir (I like a liberal amount of black pepper. Go easy on the salt if you used tamari)

Quickly transfer onto a plate or bowl on top of your chosen grain, top with the halloumi and any toppings if you’re using them

Light candles, say loving things to each and enjoy….

Apple and berry crumble

This is a take on my mum’s lovely apple crumble which I used to have growing up, (I have her to thank for the tip about using lots of ground almonds in the topping). Perfect for colder cosy nights, as well as using up any half eaten apples that regularly turn up around our house….

I tend to use eating apples as they are much sweeter than cooking apples

Heat the oven to 180 deg/gas mark 4
Cut the apples into slices (I tend not to peel mine but you can if you prefer!)

Put them in a saucepan with a little water at the bottom and cook on a medium heat with the lid on for about 5 minutes or until soft but keeping their shape, making sure they don’t burn. (Alternatively for a super buttery taste, the apples can be fried in about 8g of butter and steamed in it like above until soft)

Mix all of the dry ingredients with the butter and rub until the mixture resembles large bread crumbs

Put the apples (draining any excess water first) with the berries into a deep oval dish (about 26 x 16cm) and top with the crumble mixture

Cook for about 30 minutes in the oven or until the topping is lightly browned

Lovely served with dairy-free custard, goats yogurt or home-made ice cream. If I’m in a hurry I just have mine with whatever nut or grain milk is to hand.

Get anything:

If you don’t normally do the cooking, do it on Valentines – it is gift enough for a kitchen weary soul!

Doing valentines at home and for less might not be what you are after. This might be one of your only opportunities to spend some quality time with your loved one so here are some ideas for if you do have the time and a bit of cash of splash:

Have an evening out:

Treat yourselves to a Valentine’s Evening Saturday 13th February at the Hilton Metropole. Glass of bubbly on arrival, 3 course meal and live entertainment – £35 per head. Call the Brighton Hilton on 01273 775432 to make a reservation.

If you can get an overnighter:

Celebrate Valentines night at Hotel du Vin & Bistro with a great dine & stay package on Sunday 14th February. Dine from their Valentine’s menu of £59 per person for 4 courses with a glass of Champagne and get your guest room from only £45. The only question now is who is free for a sleepover with the kids?!

LateRooms.com has Valentine’s Day Hotels from only £59 between 20th January 2016 – 14th February 2016. What better way to celebrate than to get away with the one you love for a proper break from the family in one of their 150,000 hotels worldwide.

In addition, if you book by 12th February and arrive between 11th February and 14th February you can receive 50% off Valentine’s Day bouquets when booking via their website. Bookings must be made between 21st January 2016 – 14th February 2016. Terms and conditions apply.

This discount is valid on selected bouquets only, subject to stock availability.

This discount does not include delivery.

com is not responsible for and cannot be held liable for any loss, costs or damages incurred as a result of any purchases made through blossominggifts.com and the promotion is subject to blossominggifts.com full terms and condition, see here.